Match report

Senegal Secures Narrow Win Over Mali in Africa Cup of Nations

Mali
Mali
0–1
FT
Senegal
Senegal
Jan 9, 2026

Senegal edged out Mali 1-0 in a tense encounter at the Africa Cup of Nations. The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when I. Ndiaye found the back of the net for Senegal. Mali struggled to mount a comeback after Y. Bissouma was sent off in stoppage time of the first half.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Mali 0–1 Senegal
  • • Goal by I. Ndiaye in the 27th minute
  • • Y. Bissouma received a red card for Mali in the 45th minute of the first half
  • • Senegal secured their victory despite facing a man disadvantage for a significant portion of the game

Lineups

Mali

Starting XI

  • 16 D. Diarra (G)
  • 2 H. Traore (D)
  • 5 A. Diaby (D)
  • 25 O. Camara (D)
  • 28 N. Gassama (D)
  • 10 Y. Bissouma (M)
  • 23 A. Dieng (M)
  • 11 L. Coulibaly (M)
  • 20 M. Sangare (M)
  • 4 A. Haidara (M)
  • 17 L. Sinayoko (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 I. Diawara
  • 22 M. Samassa
  • 3 A. Dante
  • 13 F. Doucoure
  • 15 M. Fofana
  • 6 S. Niakate
  • 12 M. Camara
  • 27 G. Diakite
  • 19 K. Doumbia
  • 8 M. Doumbia
  • 24 I. Sissoko
  • 14 M. Camara
  • 18 M. Doumbia
  • 7 D. Nene
  • 9 E. B. Toure

Senegal

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 16 E. Mendy (G)
  • 15 K. Diatta (D)
  • 3 K. Koulibaly (D)
  • 19 M. Niakhate (D)
  • 25 M. Diouf (D)
  • 7 H. Diarra (M)
  • 5 I. Gueye (M)
  • 26 P. Gueye (M)
  • 13 I. Ndiaye (F)
  • 20 H. Diallo (F)
  • 10 S. Mane (F)

Substitutes

  • 23 M. Diaw
  • 1 Y. Diouf
  • 14 I. Jakobs
  • 24 A. Mendy
  • 2 M. Sarr
  • 4 A. Seck
  • 8 L. Camara
  • 6 P. Ciss
  • 17 P. M. Sarr
  • 9 B. Dia
  • 11 N. Jackson
  • 27 I. Mbaye
  • 12 C. Ndiaye
  • 21 C. Sabaly
  • 18 I. Sarr

Timeline

  1. Mali
    23' Mali Card · Yellow Card
    Y. Bissouma

    Foul

  2. Senegal
    27' Senegal Goal · Normal Goal
    I. Ndiaye
  3. Senegal
    29' Senegal Card · Yellow Card
    P. Gueye

    Foul

  4. Mali
    45'+3 Mali Card · Yellow Card
    Y. Bissouma

    Foul

  5. Mali
    45'+3 Mali Card · Red Card
    Y. Bissouma

    Foul

  6. Mali
    55' Mali subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Haidara · On: D. Nene
  7. Senegal
    56' Senegal Card · Yellow Card
    H. Diarra

    Foul

  8. Senegal
    61' Senegal Card · Yellow Card
    H. Diallo

    Foul

  9. Senegal
    62' Senegal subst · Substitution 1
    Off: P. Gueye · On: Lamine Camara
  10. Senegal
    62' Senegal subst · Substitution 2
    Off: H. Diarra · On: P. Ciss
  11. Mali
    69' Mali subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Dieng · On: G. Diakite
  12. Senegal
    75' Senegal subst · Substitution 3
    Off: I. Ndiaye · On: I. Mbaye
  13. Senegal
    75' Senegal subst · Substitution 4
    Off: H. Diallo · On: C. Ndiaye
  14. Mali
    82' Mali subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Mamadou Sangare · On: Kamory Doumbia
  15. Mali
    82' Mali subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Lassana Coulibaly · On: M. Doumbia
  16. Mali
    82' Mali subst · Substitution 5
    Off: L. Sinayoko · On: E. Touré
  17. Senegal
    83' Senegal Card · Yellow Card
    I. Mbaye

    Foul

  18. Senegal
    90'+3 Senegal Card · Yellow Card
    Kalidou Koulibaly

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Mali Senegal
Fouls 8 14
Pass Accuracy 73% 87%
Offsides 3 1
Red Cards 1 0
Total Shots 8 19
Corners 5 7
Total Passes 270 500
Yellow Cards 3 5
Blocked Shots 3 6
Shots on Target 2 8
xG — —
Shots off Target 3 5
Possession 35% 65%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 197 437
Shots Inside Box 5 11
Saves 7 2
Shots Outside Box 3 8

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Senegal took the lead early in the game with a goal from I. Ndiaye in the 27th minute, setting the tone for the match.
  • ▸ The red card issued to Y. Bissouma in the 45th minute of the first half altered the momentum, leaving Mali to play a man down for much of the second half.